Canaltime at Alvecote Marina Village

Our boat was in excellent condition. The staff was friendly and informative. They were extremely understanding when we returned with a boat that had hit a bridge! The area is beautiful with many nice pubs and interesting attractions.

What a terrific experience for 2 families from Canada. We had never seen anything like the narrowboats before and had never operated locks. We had 2 of the longest boats with our young teenagers and we all thoroughly enjoyed the 22 miles we travelled, visiting 34 pubs and numerous villages along the way.

Incredible, relaxing, and eye-opening

My wife and I spent an October week on a 1 BR narrowboat and enjoyed all of it. You have to learn to slow down (top speed 3MPH) and set reasonable cruising goals. We found ourselves cruising till dark (the boats are not allowed to cruise at night) and missing any time to explore in the afternoons. We did stop most days for a lunchtime walk.

The locks you operate yourself and are not difficult and the steering comes quickly. The orentation explains almost everything you need to know and the tape provided the rest. The boats are completely self contained well heated, with full kitchen, small frig, sink, stove, and all necessary tools. The bath is small but works with hot water. The main sleeping cabin is in the front of the boat and is 7ft.X7ft. and very nice.

The weather was good to us but we read about a storm with 60mph winds the next week. That might rock the boat if they let you out to cruise. Even a brisk wind can make control a full time chore.

It is not for everybody but rewarding if you accept it for what it is. We looked at as a small mobile apartment we could take with us to areas of England we would not see otherwise.We found much of interest within walking distance of the canal. You can tie up anywhwere you don't block the canal for free most places.

We ate breakfast on board most days and ate either lunch or dinner canalside from fine dining to pub grub to fish and chips.

We found a trip to Burton on Trent and back to be an easy sail(we pushed it by going back to Rugeley) thus the late evening push some nights. Relax and enjoy. Yours, J. Booker

All the boats here seem to be of a high standard. The accommodation was spacious for narrow boat standards. Make sure you know where you want to go and how long it will take you. We went east as far as the Braunston Tunnel and then turned around. The log on the boat detailing the journeys of previous occupants described round trips, although to do these in a week you will need to be cruising for at least 10 hours a day. A wonderful slow way of life for a week and the worry of breaking down was taken away because the marina provides you with a mobile phone should you need to contact them.

It is recommended you go armed with videos, as the television reception is almost non- existent. Stock up with groceries before you board as many canal side shops are either closed when you want them of quite expensive. Try to obtain maps of the towns and villages you intend to stay overnight in so you can find your way around easily especially when you want a pub or restaurant. We had no problem in finding a place to eat except in Nuneaton, the canal is a long way from the town with no family restaurants when you get there. Also do walk miles and expect to get a taxi back as taxi companies do not serve many of the out-lying villages. I would highly recommend a canal holiday and having been on several this was the first with a timeshare resort and it was certainly a cut above the rest.